Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School Paula Tannen Preschool January 8, 2016 27 Tevet 5776 Parsha Vaera Light Candles 4:41 pm Alumni, Alumni Everywhere Rabbi Weiser attended a meeting downtown on Wednesday and ran in to two Hebrew Day alumni from the early days: Joel Weinberger (HDS Class of 1971), who lives in LA and runs Kosher tours to Costa Rica is on Rabbi Weiser' s right, and Stuart Katz (HDS Class of 1976) who owns TAL Tours and recently spent a week in Greece helping Syrian refugees is on Rabbi's left. From Out of the Ark Our students ran outside to recess today just as Noah, his family, and the animals ran out of the Ark. Four days of rain and being cooped up were more than enough! 3630 Afton Road San Diego, CA 92123 858-279-3300 www.hebrewday.org In This Issue: Calendar 2 Parshat Vaera 3 The Soille Scene 4 Preschool News 6 Soille Community News 7
Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School Kolenu January 8, 2016-27 Tevet 5776 Calendar of Events January February S M T W T F S January 10, 2016 BBQ @ Beth Jacob to help fund 8th grade trip to Israel - January 11, 2016 Rosh Chodesh Shevat Assembly 2:50 pm January 12, 2016 Kindergarten Birch Aquarium Field trip January 18, 2015 MLK Day No School January 20, 2016 Step Up Night for K-4th grade families Our Administrative Team: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 January 25, 2016 Tu B'Shvat ACE Community Service Day for Middle School 9:30-11:10 am Science Fair Celebration 7 pm S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 January 26, 2016 Movin' into Middle School for 5th grade families January 28, 2016 2nd Grade Chumash Presentation 1pm February 3, 2016 1 pm dismissal - Faculty Professional Development February 9, 2016 1st Grade Siddur Presentation 1 pm February 15, 2016 President's Day No School Torah High School invites all women and girls to our Ninth Annual Dinner Theatre Monday, January 11, 2016, in the Social Hall at Torah High. Dinner at 6:30 pm, curtain at 7:15 pm, and dessert at 8:15 Please RSVP by January 8th to Torah High at 858.558.6880. Board of Directors: Headmaster: Rabbi Simcha Weiser rabbiweiser@hebrewday.org Principal: Rabbi Meir Cohen rabbicohen@hebrewday.org Director of School Administration: Estelle Workman eworkman@hebrewday.org Director of Admissions: Beth Licha blicha@hebrewday.org Dean of Students: Giovanna Reinking giovanna.reinking@hebrewday.org Preschool Director: Rachel Eden rachel.eden@hebrewday.org Business Manager: Klara Lapp klapp@hebrewday.org Director of Development: Joyce Arovas jarovas@hebrewday.org President: Geoffrey Berg Members at Large: Eilene Cummins Moises Eilemberg Allen Gruber Yonina Kaplan Philip Silverman Marcia Wollner Brian Zimmerman Iliana Glovinsky Gavin Horn Michael Leeman Marilyn Williams Missy Wrotslavsky 2
Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School Kolenu January 8, 2016-27 Tevet 5776 Parshat Vaera OVERVIEW: Parshat Va Era (Ex. Ch. 6:2 - Ch. 9) G-d tells Moshe to inform the Jewish People that He is going to take them out of Egypt. However, the Jewish People do not listen. G-d commands Moshe to go to Pharaoh and ask him to free the Jewish People. Although Aharon shows Pharaoh a sign by turning a staff into a snake, Pharaoh's magicians copy the sign, emboldening Pharaoh to refuse the request. G-d punishes the Egyptians and sends plagues of blood and frogs, but the magicians copy these miracles on a smaller scale, again encouraging Pharaoh to be obstinate. After the plague of lice, Pharaoh's magicians concede that only G-d could be performing these miracles. Only the Egyptians, and not the Jews in Goshen, suffer during the plagues. The onslaught continues with wild animals, pestilence, boils and fiery hail. However, despite Moshe's offers to end the plagues if Pharaoh will let the Jewish People leave, Pharaoh continues to harden his heart and refuses. (C) 2016 Ohr Somayach International DRASHA: When Moshe originally spoke to the Jewish people about G-d s plan to redeem them, Moshe performed the signs G-d had given him, people, upon witnessing the signs, were convinced that G-d had, indeed, sent Moshe to redeem them. They enthusiastically bowed down to G-d to express their absolute belief that they would now be freed and that they comprehended that G-d had remembered them. When Pharaoh heard that his slaves were rejoicing about Moshe s news of freedom, he imposed very harsh work orders against them in order to break their spirit. Straw would no longer be supplied to the slaves, but all straw would now have to be collected by the slaves themselves. In addition, they were still expected to complete the same daily quota of brick production. After a discussion with G-d, Moshe returned to continue his discussion with the Jewish people. However, when Moshe tried to discuss G-d s plan of freedom with them, he found his words now falling on deaf ears. Many translate the Torah to say, but they did not heed Moshe because of shortness of breath and hard work. Their tremendous belief did not change, it was only that they were short of breath and overwhelmed by hard work. What happened to their dream of freedom and nationhood? Haven t we seen throughout history situations where individuals and entire nations were able to overcome the worst of conditions in order to fulfill their dreams? So what happened to the dreams of these over worked slaves? The Malbim (Rabbi Meir Leibush Wisser (1809 1879), a rabbi, master of Hebrew grammar, and Bible commentator, offers a profound and empowering interpretation (Exodus 6;9). He interprets Ruach as the inner spirit. A person can have an enduring spirit or a short spirit. The enduring spirit enables a person to hold back emotions and withstand any pain and suffering in pursuit of his dream. The present pain is dwarfed by the awesomeness of the dream. The short spirit is the opposite: the person wants immediate results and becomes frustrated when things don t go the way he had planned. The focus on the present pain blinds him from seeing the beauty of his dream. If a person is one of short spirit and everything is going the way he wants it to, he will be fine. As soon as he encounters some difficulties, however, he will give up. The Malbim explains that this happened to the Jewish people in Egypt. When Moshe first spoke to them, they were excited about their freedom and nationhood. When Moshe returned, things had changed. Their dream of freedom and nationhood had not changed, but the hard work had overwhelmed them. The Malbim says the hard work triggered their short spirit, causing them to give up. They were no longer able to listen to Moshe because things didn t go the way they had planned. They didn t listen to Moshe because of their short spirit and from the hard work. The hard work was really something G-d needed to do to help and strengthen them, but the people understood the hard work to be a negative rather than a positive contributor toward fulfilling their dream. May we merit to have an enduring spirit to pursue our dreams. May we blessed with the strength to turn the boulders and even landslides that we think G-d is putting in our way as obstacles into tools for us to use to climb even higher towards the fulfillment of our potential in life. By Rabbi Yaakov Marks. Reprinted with permission from the San Diego Jewish World www.sdjewishworld.com/ 3
Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School Kolenu January 8, 2016-27 Tevet 5776 The Soille Scene Legacy Giving at Hebrew Day Have you ever thought about the future of Soille Hebrew Day? The future of the San Diego Jewish Community? Do you want to ensure that Jewish children in the future have a place to learn, study and become respectful leaders in their communities? Did you know that YOU can make a difference in this future? By making a Legacy Gift, you will be helping to make sure that Hebrew Day will be here for your grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We thank our Legacy Circle members who have pledged to leave a Legacy Gift to support our school for future generations: Jozef & Tamara Adato Anonymous(2) David & Yael Alpert Daniel & Joyce Arovas Ezra and Lisa Betech Abraham & Pam Broudy Brian & Liza Cohen Arthur & Eilene Cummins Moises Eilemberg Dan & Emily Einhorn Lillian Feingold * Franklin & Merril Felber Scott Fleury Gary & Barbara Frank Ethel Frederick July Teper Galper Allen & Toni Gruber Norm & Harriet Herman Gavin & Cheryl Horn Irvin & Jacqueline Jacobs Audrey Jacobs Karl Jacobs Lionel & Kim Kahn Marjory Kaplan & JJ Surbeck Louis & Rita Katz Michael Katz Sol & Debbie Kempinski Stan & Sherry Kessel Arnold Kisch & Victoria Daubert Reuben Klamer David & Jessica Kupferberg Adam & Joy Kushnir Joseph & Jennifer Lerner Alan Maisel Marcy Maisel* Walter & Ruth Mann* Ellen Marks Rabbi Scott & Jennifer Meltzer Jonathan & Gillian Moss Jose & Sara Nakach Norm Orgel Nathanial & Shirley Pollack Trust Stephen & Bobbe Reitman Todd Salovey & Diane Boomer Rachel Schwartz* Sonya Seiderman* Bette Shatoff Raphael & Kitty Silverman Herb Solomon Yehudah Leib & Chane Steiman Charles & Paula Tannen* Rick & Yvonne Venger Mort Vogelson * Rabbi Simcha & Betty Weiser Gidon & Marilyn Williams Edith Wiseman * Leonard & Ruth Zanville * Brian & Celena Zimmerman * Of Blessed Memory Ways to Leave a Legacy Gift to Hebrew Day: Simple Bequest in your Will or Trust Outright gift using appreciated assets or cash Life Insurance Policy IRA or Pension Plan For information on becoming a Legacy Circle member please contact Joyce Arovas, jarovas@hebrewday.org or 858-279-3300, x107. Two Dollars for the License to Dream - Rabbi Efrem Goldberg I have a confession to make I bought a lottery ticket for the Power Ball. After all, you ve got to be in it to win it and this Saturday night, winning it means winning $700 million. True, the lump sum payout comes to only $428,000,000 but I think we can find a way to make do with that amount. Now, I am not foolish, I know that I am unlikely to win. After all, the odds of winning the lottery is 1 in 292,200,000. There is a greater likelihood of being hit by lightning twice in the same day as there is of winning the lottery. So why play it at all? Moreover, is it halachicly appropriate to play or is it tantamount to throwing out money? For the full article, please go to: http://www.onlysimchas.com/news/24129/two-dollars-for-the-license-to-dream-rabbi-efrem-goldberg Gala 2016 Save the Date: Sunday, June 5, 2016 Tribute Journal: Desk Calendar ads now being accepted! Use form at the end of this Kolenu. Auction: Start thinking about items you can donate or get donated for our always-exciting Auction! 4
Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School Kolenu January 8, 2016-27 Tevet 5776 Preschool News Our pilot program of Hebrew Immersion was a unanimous hit! Parents raved and the children left with seeds planted for authentic Hebrew conversation! Stay tuned for details of when Session 2 comes out. We are planning on a maxed out program again so we'll provide you with registration details shortly! Special thanks to Rabbi Adam Simon and Josh Cohen for inspiring this groundbreaking program! Testimonials: What Parents Are Saying About Hebrew Immersion Our daughter comes home excited to share the songs and words that she knows. Your communication and pics were a great move and well explained. Thank you for all that you are doing for our daughter and beloved school. I must say that we are SO extremely happy with the class. Yosef loves it and has been having an amazing time. He has also learned so much, he comes home singing and knows all of his body parts and colors in Hebrew. He is now very comfortable with Hebrew and tries to talk with us and his sister in the Hebrew that he does know (ken, lo, bevakasha). This is as opposed to last year when if I would try to speak to him in Hebrew he would get very frustrated and ask me to stop. It is very exciting to see him so enthused about learning new things that have the potential to be uncomfortable for him - as he is generally very shy and often anxious, seeing him so comfortable and excited is wonderful. I couldn't be happier! "Thanks Odeya!! I loved seeing all the pictures and Sophia loves the class!" "Thank you, Morah Odeya! Love the pics! Anna is absolutely loving your class." "Anael started using a lot more words in Hebrew thanks to you. She loves this program. ". כל הכבוד "My child attended the Hebrew Immersion program in Soille's Paula Tannen Preschool. While she was in the program I wasn't sure she was getting anything out of it. She didn't share much even when I, a Hebrew speaker, would engage her. Over break we visited my parents where Hebrew is spoken regularly in the house. All of a sudden she was a little chatter box! Complete sentences in Hebrew! Her grandparents were so proud of her and so are we! Guess she just needed to be in an environment that necessitated her to use it. So happy I chose to send her! Special thanks go to Morah Odeyah." What new ideas do you have for us to implement? Please let us know. 5
Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School Kolenu January 8, 2016-27 Tevet 5776 Preschool News At A Glance Rain, Rain! Both outside and inside, the children have been exploring winter weather. See photo on bottom right as one class makes their own rainstorm! In this week s parsha, Va eira, children are learning about the miraculous plagues that Hashem brought upon Egypt! Our little Caterpillars are having fun doing their daily circle time! Join the babies for singing and clapping! The Butterfly class is learning about snow by finger painting with snow frosting, making real snow, as well as creating snow footprints!! The Ladybugs had the opportunity to create snowflakes and learn the anatomy of a snowman! The Frog classes have been exploring all different fruits! Eating them, using them in art and crafts, reading and singing about them, and using fruit in baking projects too! Our Dragonfly classes are discussing winter animals and all aspects of winter weather! Blue and Purple Hummingbirds are learning about the letters H & I with lots of hearts and insects to represent these two special letters! Shabbat Shalom! Save the Date MLK Day: No school - No Extended Care Feb 3: 1pm Dismissal - Faculty Development Special Thanks To those who are getting involved to help the preschool s finance committee: Chaya Ertel Rotem & Yael Levy Sharon Hefetz Gali Tamir Anna Beck Ronit Snyder Rotal Zanani Avital Alon Judy Beraha If you d like to get involved, please email reden@ssdhds.org today! 6
Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School Kolenu January 8, 2016-27 Tevet 5776 Soille Community News Mazal Tov to Eitan De Lara on his upcoming Bar Mitzvah and to proud parents Vanessa and Tzur De Lara!...Aimee Bortz, HDS Class of 2008 on her engagement to Josh Wacholder, and to proud parents Anthony and Hailey and family. Upcoming Educational Events: Rabbi Yitzchak Adlerstein @ Adat Yeshurun This Shabbat, speaking on Why the World Still Needs the Jews. FMI see adatyeshurun.org. Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Bogopulsky @ Raphael s Party Rentals. FMI call 619-287-9890 Lt. Col. Rabbi Yedidy Atlas, IDF, will be at Young Israel over Shabbat Jan. 15/ 16. FMI call 619-589- 1447. Melavah Malka will follow his lecture at 7:30 pm Saturday night on "A Macro/Micro Strategic Analysis of the Recent War in Gaza." Dr. Herman Presby @ Adat Yeshurun over Shabbat, Jan. 16 on Get a Big Bang Out of Genesis. Simi Yellen will speak on Reducing Negativity: How to raise kids with Confidence and Resilience on Wed. January 20 at 7 pm at the Encinitas Community Center. FMI contact Rebetzin Ertel at ktert9@aol.com. Tu B Shvat Seder at 6 pm January 24th @ Beth Jacob. FMI contact 619-287-9890 The Jewish Women s Renaissance Project has openings on an upcoming 8 day Israel Journey meant to inspire. FMI contact Becky Krinsky at 619-666-6551. Beginning Monday, in honor of the upcoming new Jewish month, Shevat, the children of Paula Tannen Preschool will be taking a bus to Coastal Roots Farm of Leichtag Foundation to explore all that nature has to offer. Shevat celebrates the birth of the trees and the children will be given the chance to plant their very own tree on the farm! Flower picking, herb smelling, and so much more! 7
8 t h G r a d e D e l i c i o u s B B Q WHEN: Sunday, January 10, 2016 4:30pm - 7:30pm WHERE: Beth Jacob Congregation 4855 College Avenue San Diego, CA 92115 MENU: Adult Dinner Choices (ages 10+) - Steak $26.99 - Fresh Salmon $18.99 - Hamburger $12.99 - Hot Dog $8.99 - Charbroiled Marinated Chicken Breast $16.99 *All dinners include our amazing soup &salad bar, baked potato or rice, and a drink! Kids Dinner Choices - Hot Dog $4.99 - Hamburger $7.99 *All kids dinners include potato chips and a drink. SUPPORT THE 8 TH GRADE TRIP TO ISRA EL! Reservations: shlomithaim@hotmail.com
Clean out you closets and help the 8 th grade go to Israel!!!! Please Collect Shoes to help raise funds!! Time to clean out those closets and garages and ask your neighbors, friends and family to do the same! Bag up any and all unwanted shoes! (Anything that can be worn on feet is accepted including skates, cleats, etc!) SHOES MUST BE IN PAIRS. You can tie, or buckle them together and place trash bags). Please Bring Shoes to collection bin at back entrance by Mrs. Kaplan-Nadel s classroom We ll be collecting until March 16, but we need to raise a 2000 lbs minimum. So please start bringing shoes in as soon as you can!!! For More Information Contact: Shlomit Haim 619-207-9838 Your shoes will be cleaned, repaired and recycled to developing nations in need by- The 8 th grade thanks you for supporting our shoe drive!
BS D Torah High School Presents The Ninth Annual Dinner Theatre Journey To The Past Monday, January 11 th Please join us for an evening of delicious cuisine, inspiration, drama, comedy, dance, song, music and more! Featuring the talented Torah High Theatre Troupe, Dance Ensemble, & Choir! Platinum Sponsor: $180 Gold Sponsor: $90 Includes VIP Seating For Four TICKETS Adults: $25 Students: $18 Includes VIP Seating For Two Torah High School (2 nd floor Social Hall) 9001 Towne Centre Drive San Diego, CA 92122 Dinner: 6:30 pm Curtain: 7:15 pm Dessert: 8:15pm Women only event ***An RSVP is required in order to attend*** (858) 558-6880 or http://bit.ly/thsdinnertheatre
Sunday Jan. 17 th 5:00pm Girls: Medrash & Movie Night 5:00 5:30pm Medresh Says 5:30 7:30pm Feature Film Light Din. Movie Saturday 2 Jan. 16th 6:30pm Parent Child Learning & Movie Night 6:30 7:15pm Learning, Tickets, Eternity. 7:15 7:30pm Snacks, Raffles, Prizes. 7:30 9:15pm Feature films.